Comedy Central’s “Workaholics” and “Pitch Perfect” star Adam Devine was booked as the headliner for USU Productions’ Big Show last Thursday, with “The Mindy Project’s” Fortune Feimster and “Spy’s” Adam Ray set to open the show.
“Adam Devine is a great person to have for that because he’s really in touch with today’s millennials,” said Nancy Barragan, student event coordinator for USU Productions. “We got lucky to have Adam Ray and Fortune Feimster added to the show.”
Students and community members filed into the Save Mart Center where B95’s DJ Kay Rich pumped up the crowd, encouraging them to get on their feet to dance.
The fun continued as Ray was welcomed to the stage as the show’s first opener. Ray’s comedic style involved him playing with the crowd, asking questions and talking about his own college experience.
His topics varied from risque Halloween costumes to President Donald Trump.
Following Ray, Feimster took the stage. Her southern drawl and personal storytelling kept the audience’s attention and generated many laughs. She said she really liked Fresno as she played off the audience’s comments.
After Feimster’s set, Ray returned to the stage to pump up the crowd for Devine.
The headliner took the stage with a burst of energy, sporting Fresno State Homecoming swag.
He had the highest energy of the three comedians, teasing the lighting crew as he ran back and forth on stage. He told stories from his childhood and his rise to fame.
Audience member Sandra Gaylord, a freshman majoring in plant health, said she chose to come to the Big Show because she knew Devine from “Pitch Perfect” and “Workaholics.”
She said she enjoyed the entire lineup because the comedians related to her as a student or what she’s seen other students go through.
“I think they did a really good job,” she said. “Adam [Devine] was the funniest of them all. It was really funny and definitely worth coming.”
For freshman Jillian Ashbaugh, a liberal studies major, this was also her first Fresno State Homecoming.
Ashbaugh saw a flier for the Big Show in the University Dining Hall. She admitted that at first glance she thought it was Adam Levine coming to the Save Mart Center, but soon recognized Devine from “Pitch Perfect.”
When her friends told her they had extra tickets, she tagged along.
“I really liked it,” she said. “I thought it was really funny. I like how they related [their jokes and stories] back to college. It was relatable and fun.”
She described the atmosphere of the center as young and a place where everyone could let loose. Ashbaugh said she also enjoyed the “We Are Fresno State” theme, saying it makes her feel good.
“I like going out in public and representing that I’m from Fresno State,” she said. “I’m proud to say that I’m a Fresno State student.”
The theme of Homecoming Week was planned to be the “biggest and boldest Homecoming Week” Fresno State had ever seen, while trying to reach every end of campus.
“It was the first time doing something so big we wanted to bring it back not just to the students, but to the faculty, staff and alumni and the Central Valley,” said Cindy Hernandez, student event coordinator for USU Productions. “We are all a part of Fresno State.”